The arrival of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the French national team is one of the most anticipated events in European football. After making history as a player and then as a coach at Real Madrid, the French tactician is set to open a new chapter in his career by officially taking charge of Les Bleus. His first gathering will be particularly intense, with a packed schedule that will leave him very little time to implement his ideas. In just eleven days, the French squad will play four Nations League matches against prestigious opponents, a true test to quickly gauge the ambitions of this new era.
The Zidane adventure kicks off on September 25 with an away match in Turkey. Les Bleus will immediately face a team known for its intensity and passionate fans. Competing in such an electric atmosphere will be a major first challenge for the new coach, who will aim to instill his philosophy from the very first minutes of this campaign. This match will be closely watched, as it will reveal Zidane’s initial tactical choices and the players he intends to build his project around.
Three days later, on September 28, France will follow up with another high-stakes away match against Belgium. Encounters between the two nations have often delivered spectacular clashes in recent years. This matchup will serve as an excellent indicator of the competitiveness of Les Bleus under their new coach. Facing a Belgian side rich in talent, Zidane will need to quickly find the right combinations to ensure his team performs well despite limited preparation time.
France will then return home on October 2 for a prestigious match against Italy at the Stade de France. This encounter holds a special significance. It will be Zidane’s first match in front of the French public since his appointment. It’s also a nod to history, as Italy remains one of the most significant opponents in the career of the 1998 World Cup champion. The supporters of Les Bleus are expected to give a warm welcome to one of the greatest legends of French football.
This match against the Azzurri represents much more than just a Nations League game. It will symbolize the official start of the Zidane era at home, in a Stade de France that promises to be packed to the rafters. Expectations will be immense, both in terms of results and the quality of play. After years of waiting, fans will finally get to see the former number 10 guide Les Bleus from the sidelines.
🚨 Zidane will start his adventure on the bench of Les Bleus on September 25 in the Nations League with 4 matches in 11 days against tough opponents! 🤯🇫🇷
25/09: TURKEY 🇹🇷 v 🇫🇷 FRANCE
28/09: BELGIUM 🇧🇪 v 🇫🇷 FRANCE
02/10: 🇫🇷 FRANCE v 🇮🇹 ITALY
05/10:… pic.twitter.com/8YRFmCt7Sn— Le Meilleur du Football (@LMDFoot_) July 17, 2026
The marathon will conclude on October 5 with another clash against Belgium, this time at home. This fourth match in just eleven days will already provide a first assessment of Zidane’s work. Observers will be able to evaluate the progress made by the team, the coach’s tactical choices, and the players’ ability to quickly grasp his principles of play.
With four matches against Turkey, Belgium twice, and Italy, the new coach has no room for error. This demanding schedule will offer an excellent opportunity to launch a new cycle with high-level fixtures. All eyes will be on Zinedine Zidane, whose first steps at the helm of the French team could set the tone for a project filled with great ambitions. As for his home debut against Italy, it promises to be an emotional moment, a true nod to history for a legend returning to Les Bleus with the goal of writing a new glorious chapter in French football.
